Page 83 of Just Wait

Everything is sped up and moving crazy fast. The glow sticks blur by way too quickly to focus on them, but then the song slows, almost stuttering, and everything switches to slow motion.

“Oh yeah, you’re toasted,” Kincaid says, appearing next to me. “Relax your jaw. You’re grinding your teeth.”

Riser is still behind me, swaying to the music. I mean, I can’t see him, but his hands are on my hips.

“Yeah,” I agree, blinking until my vision goes back to normal.

“Did you like the inhaler earlier?” Kincaid asks.

“Yep.”

“Cross your arms over your chest and come stand right in front of me.”

“Why?”

“I’ll crack your back for you. There’s nothing else like it.”

I smile over my shoulder at Riser before stepping in front of Kincaid and doing exactly what he said. He loops his arms around mine, lifting me and kinda shaking me in the air. It cracks something, and it does feel good. When he places me back on my feet, he wraps his hands around my elbows. He lifts me again and leans back, and every bone in my body feels like it cracks and pops.

“Whoa,” I groan.

Everything is busy and chaotic, which is weird when I’m calm and completely at peace. I have no idea how long he hugs me from behind while I lean against his chest with my arms still crossed, but it has to be a while.

I sway to the music, enjoying the feeling of being confined in Kincaid.

“You gonna fall over if I let you go?” he asks, chuckling.

“I’m good.”

He steps back, and I assume he’s talking to Riser when he asks, “You want me to do yours?”

“Fuck yes,” Riser says.

The spinning and flipping of the lights distracts me again, and by the time I check on them, Kincaid is bear-hugging Riser from behind.

I grin and make my way over. “Can I get in on that hugging action?”

Human connection is the best part of tonight. It’s like we’re all linked on some deeper level that humanity lost along the way.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Kincaid says, opening his arms.

Riser wraps me up in his hold, looping his hands over my ass while Kincaid does the same, just higher.

Riser ends up as the filling in our sandwich, and I have no idea why my soul is convinced that he needs it, but I’m not about to question it.

I feel a million times lighter than I have since Theo signed his contract with Ruined Records.

“I’m thirsty and ready to snuggle,” I say, stepping back as my body pulses with heat. My eyes meet Kincaid’s over Riser’s shoulder. “Are you coming?”

“I will.” K nods. “I just wanna find Ten and Parish and see if we can kick out the people who followed us back from the bar before I settle in.”

“That makes sense,” I blurt out, staring at my hand as Riser wraps his in mine. “You’re coming, right?”

“Yup.” He grins, and I develop heart palpitations.

That can’t be healthy.

I honestly don’t care.